Setting device of distributed energy supply system

ABSTRACT

Heretofore, in a dispersed energy supplying system, the unit cost of energy generated in houses and the unit rate of energy bought from an electric power company, etc. have been compared, but consideration has never been made of environmental burden.  
     There are provided a controlling portion  11  of controlling the operation of a fuel cell, a switch  30  of selectively supplying the electric power of the fuel cell or an external electric power into an electric power load, an electric power generation unit cost calculating portion  13  of calculating the electric power generation cost of the fuel cell, an electric rate system storing portion  14  of calculating the cost of a power plant  50  and a dispersed electric power generating apparatus  51 , an LCA data storing portion  16  of storing LCA data of the fuel cell, the power plant  50  and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus  51 , and a user interface portion  20  of presenting electric power generation cost, external electric power cost and LCA data and allowing the user to determine the controlling operation of the aforementioned controlling portion  11  and/or the selecting operation of the switch  11.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus of setting a distributedenergy supplying system using a means of generating energy from anexternal energy source such as fuel cell.

BACKGROUND ART

A fuel cell is an energy-saving system which undergoes chemical reactionof a fuel gas with air to generate electricity and supplies electricpower as well as heat generated during the electricity generation asheat energy. The operation of a fuel cell has heretofore generallyinvolved an electric power load follow-up operation that causes the fuelcell to generate electricity in conformance with the amount of electricpower consumed by the electric power load and causes electricity to bebought from commercial power line when the consumed amount of electricpower exceeds the rated electric generation of the fuel cell.

When the electricity generation of the fuel cell is converged to thetarget control value by controlling the supplied amount of fuel gas, atime lag on the order of minutes occurs. As a technique of eliminatingthis time lag there is known a technique involving the preparation of astorage battery which charges electricity when the consumed amount ofelectric power drops and discharges electricity when the consumed amountof electric power rises, making it possible to keep the amount ofelectricity generated by the fuel cell constant as much as possible evenwhen the amount of electricity consumed by the electric power loadchanges and cause the amount of electricity generated by the fuel cellto follow up with the electric power load without delay (seeJP-A-6-325774).

FIG. 3 illustrates a constitutional diagram of an electric powergenerating system of the related art described in JP-A-6-325774 and acontrolling device therefor. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 101indicates a fuel cell, the reference numeral 102 indicates an inverterwhich converts dc electric power which is the output of the fuel cell toac electric power, and the reference numeral 103 indicates a storagebattery which charges with dc electric power. The reference numeral 110indicates a controlling device having a controlling portion 111. Thereference numerals 120 and 121 indicate an electric power load and ahot-water load, respectively, and the reference numerals 131, 132 and133 each indicate a switch which operates upon the reception of an orderfrom the controlling portion 111. The reference numeral 150 indicates anexternal electric supply which corresponds to an electric power company.

The operation of this system will be described hereinafter. The fuelcell 101 operates to generate electricity at constant. When the amountof electric power consumed by the electric power load 120 decreases, theswitch 131 is then connected to the storage battery 103 so that thestorage battery 103 charges with extra electric power. On the contrary,when the amount of electric power consumed by the electric power load120 increases, the switch 132 is then connected to the storage battery103 so that the storage battery 103 discharges and supplies electricityto the electric power load 120. When the storage battery 103 is filledwith electricity or drains electricity, the controlling portion 111 thenoutputs a control signal such that the amount of electric powergenerated by the fuel cell decreases or increases.

Further, the controlling portion 111 gives an instruction of connectingthe switch 133 to buy a cheap night electric power from the externalelectric supply 150 and charge the storage battery 103. The entiredisclosure of the above cited JP-A-6-325774 are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Incidentally, the operation of a fuel cell has no economic advantageunless the unit cost of electric power generated by the fuel cell, i.e.,the cost of a fuel gas required for the fuel cell to generate a unitamount of electric power is lower than the cost required to buycommercial electric power from an electric power company, etc.

At present, the unit rate of electric power for totally-electrifiedhouses within the area controlled by one electric power company isdivided into three time zones in a day, and the rate in the day timezone having the highest unit rate of electric power is not smaller thanfive times that in the midnight time zone having the lowest unit rate ofelectric power in summer.

On the other hand, taking into account the cost of fuel gas and theelectricity generation efficiency of fuel cell, the unit cost ofelectric generation of fuel cell is between the unit rate of electricpower in the midnight time zone and that in the day time zone.Accordingly, even if a fuel cell is operated in a time zone having a lowunit rate of electric power as in the midnight, there is no economicaladvantage.

Further, it is thought that with the recent deregulation of electricmarket, a plurality of electric power generating industries will start acommercial electric power supply business using their own dispersedelectric power generating apparatus. It is therefore presumed that therewill be a growing demand for judgment of which electric power industrycan provide electricity to economic advantage from the user's standpointof view.

Further, the aforementioned description has been made with reference tofuel cell by way of example, but it is possible that houses can have anelectric power supplying means such as electricity generator installedtherein and selectively use it as a result of comparison with electricpower bought from the electric power industry.

In the example of FIG. 3, the fuel cell 101 can supply heat generatedduring electricity generation into the hot-water supply load 121 as hotwater. Since the hot-water supply load 121 can be operated by the supplyof a city gas, propane gas or the like (not shown) besides by theaforementioned external electric supply 151, heat obtained from the gasbought from these industries and heat obtained from the fuel cell 101can be compared with each other.

In other words, an energy such as electricity and gas (heat source) doesnot depend on the supply from conventional infrastructures but can beproduced from other kinds of energy sources in various houses. Thus, theuser can build a dispersed energy supplying system that allows properselection and utilization of energy obtained from homemade energygenerating means and external energy bought from external electric powerindustries or gas industries depending on economical efficiency orconvenience.

Further, in the case where such a dispersed energy supplying system isutilized or built, consideration should be made not only of selection ofenergy merely from the economical standpoint of view but also ofprovision with electric power taking into account what effect the energyconsumed has on the environment amidst growing demand for the importanceof environmental protection. It is thought that there will be increasingordinary users who wish so.

To date, however, the supply of an energy such as electric power and gashas never been considered taking into account such an environmentalprotection.

Further, data on systematic rate of energy such as electricity and gason the basis of which economical efficiency is evaluated, particularlyreal time data concerning the cost changing every hour is difficultlyavailable. Accordingly, it has been difficult to control the operationof a dispersed energy supplying system such as fuel cell system and evenbuild and design such a system according to these data.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus ofsetting dispersed energy supplying system which, taking into account theaforementioned problems, performs assessment of economical efficiency ofenergy supplied from the exterior and allows ordinary users to selectassessment for environmental protection, on the basis of which judgmentof optimum operating method or system design can be made. It is anotherobject of the present invention to allow the assessment of economicalefficiency to reflect the change of rate system of energy with time zoneif any.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusof setting a dispersed energy supplying system which can take intoaccount both economical efficiency and environmental protection byautomatically realizing judgment of optimum operation schedule or systemdesign even if ordinary users do not make judgment by themselves.

To solve the above problems, a first invention of the present inventionlies in an apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system ofsupplying a generated energy generated from a predetermined energysource by an energy generating means and an externally supplied externalenergy into a load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating means of calculating        energy generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating means of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data; and    -   an interface means of presenting the aforementioned energy        generation cost, the aforementioned external energy supply cost,        and the aforementioned first and the second LCA data and        allowing the user to set the aforementioned energy generating        means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means.

Further, a second invention of the present invention lies in anapparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplyinga generated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating means of calculating        energy generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating means of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data;    -   a comparing means of performing at least one of the comparison        of the aforementioned energy generation cost and/or the        aforementioned external energy supply cost and the comparison of        the aforementioned first LCA data and/or the aforementioned        second LCA data; and    -   an interface means of presenting the results of comparison by        the aforementioned comparing means and remaining data which have        not been compared by the aforementioned comparing means and        allowing the user to set the aforementioned energy generating        means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means.

Moreover, a third invention of the present invention lies in anapparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplyinga generated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating means of calculating        energy generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating means of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data; and    -   a setting means of setting the aforementioned energy generating        means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means        on the basis of at least one of the aforementioned energy        generation cost and first LCA data and the aforementioned        external energy supply cost and second LCA data.

Further, a fourth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, whereinthere further comprises a set content storage means of storing theaforementioned contents of setting and the aforementioned interfacemeans or setting means is capable of displaying the aforementionedstored contents of setting.

Moreover, a fifth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting is to select which of the aforementioned energygenerating means or the aforementioned external energy is used to supplyenergy into the aforementioned load in the operation of theaforementioned dispersed energy supplying system.

Further, a sixth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting is to select which one of a plurality of theaforementioned energy generating means is used to supply energy into theaforementioned load in the operation of the aforementioned dispersedenergy supplying system.

Moreover, a seventh invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the firstinvention of the present invention, wherein the aforementioned settingis to select which one of a plurality of the aforementioned externalenergies is supplied into the aforementioned load in the operation ofthe aforementioned dispersed energy supplying system.

Further, an eighth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting is to select the aforementioned energy generatingmeans or the aforementioned external energy capable of supplying energyinto the aforementioned load in the construction of the aforementioneddistributed energy supplying system.

Moreover, a ninth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting is to select the aforementioned energy generatingmeans capable of supplying energy into the aforementioned load in theconstruction of the aforementioned dispersed energy supplying system.

Further, a tenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting is to select the aforementioned external energycapable of supplying energy into the aforementioned load in theconstruction of the aforementioned dispersed energy supplying system.

Moreover, an eleventh invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the thirdinvention of the present invention, wherein the aforementioned settingmeans performs at least one of the comparison of the aforementionedenergy generation cost and/or the aforementioned external energy supplycost and the comparison of the aforementioned first LCA data and/or theaforementioned second LCA data, and then performs the aforementionedsetting, if one of two comparisons shows a difference falling within apredetermined range, on the basis of the results of the other, or, ifthe aforementioned difference of the comparison exceeds theaforementioned predetermined range, on the basis of the aforementioneddifference of the comparison.

Further, a twelfth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the thirdinvention of the present invention, wherein the aforementioned settingmeans performs at least one of the comparison of the aforementionedenergy generation cost and/or the aforementioned external energy supplycost and the comparison of the aforementioned first LCA data and/or theaforementioned second LCA data, converts the other data which have notbeen subjected to comparison according to a predetermined coefficientbased on the aforementioned comparison, performs the comparison of theaforementioned data thus converted, and then performs the aforementionedsetting on the basis of the results of the comparison.

Moreover, a thirteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the thirdinvention of the present invention, wherein the setting means performsthe comparison of the aforementioned energy generation cost and/or theaforementioned external energy supply cost with the aforementioned firstLCA data and/or the aforementioned second LCA data upon reception of aweighted factor determined by the user.

Further, a fourteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of thethirteenth invention of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned weighted factor can be the same for a plurality of LCAdata or respectively different for whole or part of the plurality of LCAdata.

Moreover, a fifteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the twelfthor the thirteenth invention of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned setting means determines the aforementioned weightedfactor on the basis of the aforementioned comparison.

Further, a sixteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, whichfurther comprises an LCA data calculating means of calculating theaforementioned first LDA data and the aforementioned second LCA data.

Moreover, a seventeenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of thesixteenth invention of the present invention, wherein the aforementionedexternal energy supply cost calculating means and the aforementioned LCAdata calculating means are provided in a server on a network.

Further, an eighteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the thirdinvention of the present invention, wherein the aforementioned settingmeans is provided in a server on a network.

Moreover, a nineteenth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, furthercomprising an energy consumption measuring means of measuring the energyconsumption of the aforementioned load, wherein the aforementionedenergy generation cost calculating means comprises an energy source ratesystem storing means of storing the rate system of the aforementionedpredetermined energy source and an energy generation unit costcalculating means comprising a performance table containing data of theaforementioned energy generating means concerning the capacity ofgenerating energy per unit amount of the aforementioned predeterminedenergy source which obtains an energy source unit rate from theaforementioned energy source rate system storing means and calculatesthe unit cost per unit energy generation of the aforementioned energygenerating means by reference to the aforementioned performance table,and the aforementioned external energy supply cost calculating meanscomprises an external energy rate system storing means of storing therate system of the aforementioned external energy.

Further, a twentieth invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned energy generating means is a fuel cell.

Moreover, a twenty first invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned energy generating means is a CO₂ heat pump.

Further, a twenty second invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of the any oneof the first to the third inventions of the present invention, whereinthe aforementioned external energy contains at least an electric powersupplied by an electric power industry.

Moreover, a twenty third invention of the present invention lies in theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system of any one ofthe first to the third inventions of the present invention, wherein theaforementioned external energy contains at least gas supplied by a gasindustry.

Further, a twenty fourth invention of the present invention lies in adistributed energy supplying system comprising a setting means fordistributed energy supplying system of any one of the first to thirdinventions of the present invention and an energy generating means ofgenerating an energy to be supplied into a load from a predeterminedenergy source.

Moreover, a twenty fifth invention of the present invention lies in amethod of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplying agenerated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating step of calculating energy        generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating step of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storing step of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data; and    -   an interfacing step of presenting the aforementioned energy        generation cost, the aforementioned external energy supply cost        and the aforementioned first and second LCA data and allowing        the user to set the aforementioned energy generating means        and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means.

Further, a twenty sixth invention of the present invention lies in amethod of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplying agenerated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating step of calculating energy        generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating step of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storing step of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data;    -   a comparing step of performing at least one of the comparison of        the aforementioned energy generation cost and/or the        aforementioned external energy supply cost and the comparison of        the aforementioned first LCA data and/or the aforementioned        second LCA data; and    -   an interfacing step of presenting the results of comparison by        the aforementioned comparing means and remaining data which have        not been compared by the aforementioned comparing means and        allowing the user to set the aforementioned energy generating        means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means.

Moreover, a twenty seventh invention of the present invention lies in amethod of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplying agenerated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising:

-   -   an energy generation cost calculating step of calculating energy        generation cost required to generate the aforementioned        generated energy by the aforementioned energy generating means        suitable for the aforementioned load;    -   an external energy supply cost calculating step of calculating        supply cost of the aforementioned external energy suitable for        the aforementioned load;    -   an LCA data storing step of storing an environmental burden        generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating        and discarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a        first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental        burden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing,        operating and discarding facilities of supplying the        aforementioned external energy as a second LCA data; and    -   a setting step of setting the aforementioned energy generating        means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplying means        on the basis of at least one of the aforementioned energy        generation cost and first LCA data and the aforementioned        external energy supply cost and second LCA data.

Further, a twenty eighth invention of the present invention lies in aprogram of allowing a computer to function as an energy generation costcalculating means of calculating energy generation cost required for theaforementioned energy generating means to generate the aforementionedgenerated energy suitable for the aforementioned load, an externalenergy supply cost calculating means of calculating supply cost of theaforementioned external energy suitable for the aforementioned load, anLCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden generated atwhole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discarding theaforementioned energy generating means as a first life cycle assessment(LCA) data and an environmental burden generated at whole or part of thesteps of producing, operating and discarding facilities of supplying theaforementioned external energy as a second LCA data and an interfacemeans of presenting the aforementioned energy generation cost, theaforementioned external energy supply cost and the aforementioned firstand second LCA data and allowing the user to set the aforementionedenergy generating means and/or the aforementioned external energysupplying means in an apparatus of setting a distributed energysupplying system of the first invention of the present invention.

Moreover, a twenty ninth invention of the present invention lies in aprogram of allowing a computer to function as an energy generation costcalculating means of calculating energy generation cost required for theaforementioned energy generating means to generate the aforementionedgenerated energy suitable for the aforementioned load, an externalenergy supply cost calculating means of calculating supply cost of theaforementioned external energy suitable for the aforementioned load, anLCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden generated atwhole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discarding theaforementioned energy generating means as a first life cycle assessment(LCA) data and an environmental burden generated at whole or part of thesteps of producing, operating and discarding facilities of supplying theaforementioned external energy as a second LCA data, a comparing meansof performing at least one of the comparison of the aforementionedenergy generation cost and/or the aforementioned external energy supplycost and the comparison of the aforementioned first LCA data and/or theaforementioned second LCA data and an interface means of presenting theresults of comparison by the aforementioned comparing means andremaining data which have not been compared by the aforementionedcomparing means and allowing the user to set the aforementioned energygenerating means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplyingmeans in an apparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying systemof the second invention of the present invention.

Further, a thirtieth invention of the present invention invention liesin a program of allowing a computer to function as an energy generationcost calculating means of calculating energy generation cost requiredfor the aforementioned energy generating means to generate theaforementioned generated energy suitable for the aforementioned load, anexternal energy supply cost calculating means of calculating supply costof the aforementioned external energy suitable for the aforementionedload, an LCA data storage means of storing an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding the aforementioned energy generating means as a first lifecycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burden generated atwhole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discardingfacilities of supplying the aforementioned external energy as a secondLCA data and a setting means of setting the aforementioned energygenerating means and/or the aforementioned external energy supplyingmeans on the basis of at least one of the aforementioned energygeneration cost and first LCA data and the aforementioned externalenergy supply cost and second LCA data in an apparatus of setting adistributed energy supplying system of the third invention of thepresent invention.

Moreover, a thirty first invention of the present invention lies in arecording medium having a program of any one of the twenty eighth tothirtieth inventions of the present invention supported thereon capableof being processed by a computer.

The present invention described above concerns, by way of example, afuel cell system which generates electric power and heat from a fuel gasand air and then supplies them to an electric power load and a heatload, respectively, comprising a electric power consumption measuringportion of measuring the electric power consumption of theaforementioned electric power load, a fuel gas rate system storingportion of storing the rate system of fuel gas, an electric rate systemstoring portion for storing the electric rate system, an electric powergeneration unit cost calculating portion of obtaining fuel gas unit costfrom the aforementioned fuel gas rate system storing portion andcalculating the unit cost per unit energy generation of theaforementioned fuel cell by reference to a performance table of theaforementioned fuel cell, an LCA data storing portion for storing thelife cycle cost concerning a plurality of dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus, including the aforementioned fuel cell system, orthe power plant of an electric power company, a user interface portioncapable of presenting the unit cost of electric power generationcalculated by the aforementioned electric power generation calculatingportion and the life cycle cost of the aforementioned LCA data storingportion at the same time and inputting an operating apparatus selectiondata for selecting the operating apparatus to be used from theaforementioned dispersed electric power generating apparatus or theaforementioned power plant, an operation scheduling portion of dividingone day into a high electric rate time zone at which the aforementionedelectric power rate unit cost is higher than the aforementioned electricpower generation unit cost, an equivalent time zone at which theaforementioned electric power rate unit cost is equivalent to theaforementioned electric power generation unit cost and a low electricrate time zone at which the aforementioned electric power rate unit costis lower than the aforementioned electric power generation unit costconcerning the operation schedule of fuel cell system, including theselection and control of the aforementioned dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus or the aforementioned power plant to be selected onthe basis of the aforementioned operating apparatus selection data fromthe aforementioned user interface portion and predetermining theoperation schedule so as to operate the aforementioned fuel cellaccording to the electric power consumption of the aforementionedelectric power load in the aforementioned high electric rate time zoneor suspend the operation of the fuel cell or operate the fuel cell withthe minimum capacity in the low electric rate time zone, and acontrolling portion of controlling the electric output of theaforementioned fuel cell system according to the selection and controlof the external electric power on the basis of the aforementionedoperating apparatus selection data from the user interface portion orthe operation schedule.

Further, fuel cell system which generates electric power and heat from afuel gas and air and then supplies them to an electric power load and aheat load, respectively, comprising a electric power consumptionmeasuring portion of measuring the electric power consumption of theaforementioned electric power load, a fuel gas rate system storingportion of storing the rate system of fuel gas, an electric rate systemstoring portion for storing electric rate system, an electric powergeneration unit cost calculating portion of obtaining fuel gas unit costfrom the aforementioned fuel gas rate system storing portion andcalculating the unit cost per unit energy generation of theaforementioned fuel cell by reference to a performance table of theaforementioned fuel cell, an LCA data storing portion for storing thelife cycle cost concerning a plurality of dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus, including the aforementioned fuel cell system, orthe power plant of an electric power company, an operating methodjudging/storing portion of receiving and storing the aforementionedoperating method judgment data from a service industry (ISP) whichoperates to prepare/provide optimum operating method judgment data onthe basis of electric rate system data or life cycle cost data of theaforementioned dispersed electric power generating apparatus or theaforementioned power plant via a communications portion receiving theaforementioned operating method judgment data, an operation schedulingportion of determining the operation schedule of the fuel cell system,including the selection and control of the aforementioned dispersedelectric power generating apparatus or the aforementioned power plant,from the electric power unit cost calculated by the aforementionedelectric power generation calculating portion, the life cycle cost ofthe aforementioned LCA data storing portion, the electric rate systemdata of the aforementioned electric rate system storing portion and theoperating method judgment data of the aforementioned operating methodjudgment data storing portion, and a controlling portion of controllingthe electric output of the aforementioned fuel cell system according tothe selection and control of the external electric power on the basis ofthe aforementioned operating apparatus selection data or the operationschedule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fuel cell systemaccording to the mode 1 for carrying out the present invention and acontrolling device therefor.

FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram illustrating an example of display of a userinterface portion 20 and FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram illustrating anotherexample of display of the user interface portion 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the fuel cellsystem according to the mode 1 for carrying out the present inventionand the controlling device therefor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fuel cell systemaccording to the mode 2 for carrying out the present invention and acontrolling device therefor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow chart of operating order ofISP100 according to the mode 2 for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow chart of another example ofoperating order of ISP100 according to the mode 2 for carrying out thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a constitutional diagram of a related art technique describedin JP-A-6-325774.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating other configuration of the mode 1 forcarrying out the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating further configuration of the mode 1 forcarrying out the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still further configuration of themode 1 for carrying out the present

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the mode 3 forcarrying out the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the user interfaceportion 20 according to the model for carrying out the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of operation scheduleobtained according to the mode 1 for carrying out the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

-   -   1 Fuel cell    -   2 Electric power consumption measuring portion    -   10, 10′, 10″ Controlling device    -   11 Controlling portion    -   12 Operation scheduling portion    -   12 a Operation scheduling portion    -   13 Electric power generation unit cost calculating portion    -   14 Electric rate system storing portion    -   15 Fuel gas rate system storing portion    -   16 LCA data storing portion    -   17 Operating method judgment data storing portion    -   18 Timer    -   19 Comparing means    -   20 User interface portion    -   21 Hot-water supply load    -   25 Communications portion    -   26 Electric power load    -   30 Switch    -   50 Power plant    -   51 Dispersed electric power generating apparatus

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of implementation of the present invention will be describedin connection with the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a configuration of afuel cell system according to the first embodiment of implementation ofthe present invention and a controlling device therefor. In FIG. 1, thereference numeral 1 indicates a fuel cell and the reference numeral 2indicates an electric power consumption measuring portion comprising anelectric power sensor for measuring the electric power consumption ofthe electric power load 26 incorporated therein. The reference numeral30 indicates a switch required to use the power plant 50 as an externalelectric supply or use electricity from the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51. The power plant 50 means an electric powercompany or the like and the dispersed electric power generatingapparatus 51 means other electric power generating industry, i.e.,industry that supplies and sells commercial electric power. Thereference numeral 21 is a hot-water supply load that utilizes heatoutputted by the fuel cell 1.

The reference numeral 10 indicates a controlling device comprising acontrolling portion 11, an operation scheduling portion 12, an operationschedule storing portion 12 a, an electric power generation unit costcalculating portion 13, an electric rate system storing portion 14, afuel gas rate system storing portion 15, an LCA data storing portion 16and a timer 18. The electric rate system storing portion 14 and the fuelgas rate system storing portion 15 store electric rate unit cost andfuel gas rate unit cost every certain time zone per day, respectively.The electric power generation unit cost calculating portion 13, if theoperating capacity of the fuel cell 1 is selected, keeps a performancetable providing the energy efficiency of the fuel cell 1 represented bythe fuel gas input energy, the electric power generation efficiency andthe hot-water efficiency and calculates an electric power generationunit cost which is the cost required for the fuel cell 1 to generateunit electric power. The reference numeral 20 indicates a user interfaceportion comprising an input screen that enables the user of the fuelcell 1 to make free selection/determination of which electric power canbe best used from the standpoint of economical efficiency orenvironmental protection from the electric power unit cost and theelectric rate and LCA data. The operation scheduling portion 12determines the operation schedule of the fuel cell 1 by the operatingapparatus selection data from the user interface portion 20. Thecontrolling portion 11 operates the fuel cell 1 according to theoperation schedule determined by the operation scheduling portion 12 andobtains the current time from the timer 18 to control the electric poweroutput of the fuel cell 1 or operate the switch 30.

The description of the operation of the present embodiment ofimplementation of the invention will be made hereinafter with thedescription of an embodiment of implementation of the method of settinga dispersed energy supplying system of the present invention.

Firstly, in the electric power generation unit cost calculating portion13, a fuel gas rate system is obtained from the fuel gas rate systemstoring portion 15, the electric power unit cost of the fuel cell 1 iscalculated from the unit cost of fuel gas and the energy efficiency ofthe fuel cell, and the electric power unit cost is then outputted to theuser interface portion 20 as an electric power generation cost. Atpresent, the unit cost of fuel gas does not change from time zone totime zone in one day, and there is only one fuel gas unit cost used todetermine the operation schedule of the fuel cell 1. As the energyefficiency there is used a value estimated and calculated from theoperating conditions in the case where the fuel cell 1 is operated.

Subsequently, from the electric rate system storing portion 14 isoutputted the electric power generation unit cost of the power plant 50and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 stored thereinto the user interface portion 20 as external electric power generationcost.

On the other hand, LCA data stored in the LCA data storing portion 16 isnormally data obtained by measuring the amount of resources consumed anddischarged at all steps concerning the production, use and disposal ofindustrial products and quantifying the effect thereof on theenvironment. This LCA makes it possible to quantitatively treat theburden of the consumption of energy or the use of products on theenvironment (environmental burden). The calculation of LCA requires dataon the consumption of resources and energy or discharged materials at anumber of steps between the excavation of resources and the disposal ofproducts.

In order to calculate LCA data in the fuel cell system of the presentembodiment of implementation of the invention, the environmental burdenduring the production steps and resources (including fuel such as fuelas used in the fuel cell 1, materials used to prepare the fuel cell mainbody, various resources and materials used to build the power plant 50)required for the development and production of each of the fuel cell 1,the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus51 are used as data.

Also, the environmental burden of energy consumption used for the saleand business of the fuel cell 1 and the operation of the power plant 50and the dispersed electric power generation industry 51 (e.g., whatenergy and how much the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51 use to make electric power generation) is alsoused as data.

Further, the environmental burden of energy required for thedisposal/recycling of gas consumed and discharged, low temperature waterused and the fuel cell 1 paid off when a fuel cell system of the presentembodiment of implementation of the invention is operated at houses andthe power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus51 is also used as data.

Here, Table 1 shows a specific example of LCA data. TABLE 1 Electricpower supply Fuel Cell Atomic power plant Thermoelectric power plant LCAEvaluation A Evaluation B Evaluation A Evaluation B Evaluation AEvaluation B During CO₂ Global warming CO₂ Global CO₂ Global warmingproduction Heavy metal Exhaustion of Radioactive warming (per house)(per house) resources material Atmospheric (per house) pollution Duringuse CO₂ Global warming Radioactive Atmospheric CO₂ Global warming(operation) (per house) material pollution Harmful oxides Atmospheric(per house) (NO_(x), SO_(x)) pollution (per house) During CO₂ Globalwarming CO₂ Global CO₂ Global warming disposal Heavy metal Exhaustion ofRadioactive warming (per house) (regeneration) (per house) resourcesmaterial Atmospheric (per house) pollution

In Table 1, “Evaluation A” indicates an inventory assessment. Theinventory assessment is data obtained by quantifying chemical materialsfacilities of the target of LCA measurement which are directlydischarged from or chemical materials discharged during the productionor disposal of these facilities and is represented by units such asweight (mg) and volume (cc). CO₂ emission is mainly used, but otherchemical materials may be properly quantified depending on thecircumstances. For example, a part of LCA data by inventory assessmentin the case of fuel cell is the amount of heavy metal and carbon dioxide(CO₂) discharged at the step of producing a fuel cell. Other examples ofmaterials to be used in inventory assessment include harmful oxides suchas NO_(x) and SO_(x), radioactive materials such as uranium, greenhousegases such as methane and ozone layer-destroying substances such asFreon.

On the other hand, in the case of atomic power plant or thermoelectricpower plant, materials directly discharged from the facilities duringthe production, operation and disposal of the entire facilities orchemical materials discharged to the exterior during the production anddisposal of the facilities, including due to discharge risk by accidentor the like, are quantified to obtain inventory assessment. However, forthe comparison with fuel cell, etc., as the quantified amount there isused a value obtained by dividing the measurements by the number ofhouses to which the facilities supply electric power. Referring to fuelcell, since there can be proposed a case where one fuel cell is used atone house or a case where one fuel cell is owned jointly by a housingcomplex, the inventory assessment per house using a fuel cell and theinventory assessment per house to which an atomic power plant orthermoelectric power plant supplies electric power are shown incomparison with each other in Table 1.

Next, “Evaluation B” indicates an impact assessment. The impactassessment is an index predetermined on the basis of, e.g., enterprises'or users' subjective point of view wherein a single or a plurality ofinventory assessments are used as parameters and there have no specificdefinitions at present. This index makes it easy for users to makeintuitive understanding of environmental effect.

As mentioned above, the inventory assessment involves quantification ofchemical materials, but it is difficult for users having no expertknowledge to estimate the degree of environmental effect from the amountof these chemical materials.

Therefore, for the convenience of users, the impact assessment is usedas an index giving intuitive and concrete representation ofenvironmental effect wherein as a parameter indicating the degree ofenvironmental effect there is used an inventory assessment.

A part of LCA data by impact assessment in the case of fuel cell forexample is to set the effect of the use of a fuel cell per house on theglobal warming as a warming index. How the inventory assessment shouldbe selected as parameter may be arbitrarily determined by the user. Anexample of the warming index is to use CO₂ emission and hydrocarbonemission. Table 1 shows the case where as a warming index there is usedCO₂ emission alone.

As other examples of impact assessment there may be set an acidificationindex indicating the acidity of the atmosphere, an atmospheric pollutionindex indicating the degree of pollution of the atmosphere, a resourceexhaustion index indicating the degree of exhaustion of resources.

In the case of atomic power plant or thermoelectric power plant, too,impact assessment is similarly conducted.

Incidentally, taking the time of operation of atomic power plant by wayof example, an atomic power plant emits no CO₂ during its operation.Therefore, if the warming index is set according to the same method asin fuel cell, its value cannot be measured.

However, in the inventory assessment during operation, an atomic powerplant discharges radioactive materials. Paying their attention to thisfact, users can make impact assessment (atmospheric pollution in theexample of Table 1) with this inventory assessment as parameter, makingit possible to make fair and intuitive comparison of LCA. In otherwords, the comparison of LCA using a plurality of impact assessmentsexerts an effect of correcting the impact assessment for deviation.

As in the case of inventory assessment, the impact assessment is shownin Table 1 as contrast of the use of fuel cell per house with the use ofatomic power plant and thermoelectric power plant per house.

The aforementioned LCA data is divisionally stored in LCA data storingportion 16 as first LCA data concerning the fuel cell 1 and second LCAdata concerning each of the power plant 50 and the dispersed electricpower generating apparatus 51. In the following description, the powerplant 50 corresponds to the atomic power plant in Table 1 and thedispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 corresponds to thethermoelectric power plant in Table 1.

In the user interface portion 20, LCA data is presented as degree ofenvironmental effect in addition to economical efficiency presented aselectric power generation cost and external electric power cost.

In FIG. 2(a), an example of the user interface portion 20 is typicallyillustrated. In the user interface portion 20 shown in FIG. 2 (a), theelectric power generation cost, the external cost and LCA data are shownevery unit defined by dividing one day into four time zones. As LCA datathere was used only impact assessment. However, the definition ofnumeral values is determined by users, enterprises, etc. and thus is notlimited to the present example.

As described with reference to the related art, the power plant 50 andthe dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 vary in electricpower unit cost from operating time zone to operating time zone, and, inthe user interface portion 20, the electric power unit cost (externalelectric power cost) of the power plant 50 (corresponding to “electricpower generating means A/electric power company” in FIG. 2(a)) and thedispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 (corresponding to“electric power generating means B/electric power generating industry”in FIG. 2 (a)) is displayed every varying time zone. Further, asmentioned above, the electric power unit cost (electric power generationcost) of the fuel cell 1 (corresponding to “electric power generatingmeans C/fuel cell” in FIG. 2 (a)) remains constant regardless of timezone.

Moreover, it is arranged such that LCA data on each of the variouselectric power generating means A to C are displayed as index.

The user determines as an operation schedule which is to be used amongthe fuel cell 1, the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51 in a desired time zone during which the fuelcell system is operated on the basis of various data set forth in thistable and then inputs it to the user interface portion 20.

In FIG. 13, an example of the operation schedule of the fuel cell 1 isshown. As shown in this figure, the electric power per day of variousloads which can be operated by a fuel cell system such as airconditioning, hot-water supply and illumination as in the electric powerload 20 and the hot-water supply load 21 varies from time zone to timezone in one day. The data of this variation can be obtained, e.g., bynetwork-connecting the various loads. Further, such an operationschedule is displayed on the user interface portion 20.

In general, it is considered a most possible case that the user woulduse the cheapest electric power generating means simply from aneconomical standpoint by judging from these data. In this case, theoperation schedule is very simple, and the user merely selects among thefuel cell 1, the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51 such that the cheapest electric power generatingmeans can be operated in the respective operating time zone of thesystem.

However, the spread of the fuel cell system, which has been developedand marketed originally from the standpoint of environmental protection,only for economic satisfaction of the user should be avoided also fromthe standpoint of state policy. In other words, it is desirable thatsatisfaction in environmental contribution can be provided also to theuser, resulting in the wide spread of the fuel cell system as amerchandise which is friendly also to the global environment.

To this end, in the present embodiment of implementation of theinvention, satisfaction in environmental contribution in addition toeconomical efficiency is shown by a definite quantitative indicationsuch as LCA data, making it possible for the user to consider thecontribution to environmental protection on the basis of LCA data whenselecting electric power means. In other words, screen display isconducted such that the user can freely select and set various electricpower generating means on the basis of LCA data presented in addition tothe electric power unit cost and the electric rate.

In FIG. 12, another example of display of the user interface portion 20is typically shown. In the user interface portion 20 shown in FIG. 12,economical efficiency including the electric power cost and the externalcost in block and LCA data are shown in separate windows and indicateweighted factors α_(E) and α_(L) representing the relationship inweighting between economical efficiency and LCA data, which areparameters determined by the user's consciousness. The weighted α_(E)and α_(L) may be simply represented by numeral value but may berepresented together with a graphic illustrating the balance of numeralvalue therebetween. Shown by way of example in this figure is display ofbalance of numeral value using a graphic imitating a balance that swingsdown on the side whichever of α_(E) or α_(L) the gravity of judgment isheavier. The user can make intuitive grasping of on which gravity shouldbe put the electric power generation cost or LCA by visually observingthis graphic. The form of the graphic may be such that the economicalefficiency and LCA data, which cannot inherently be simply compared witheach other, can be compared with each other as parameter by the weightedfactors α_(E) and α_(L), which can be intuitively set by the user, andis a balance herein, but the displaying method is not necessarilylimited thereto. Other displaying methods such as circle graph may beused so far as the gravity of judgement of economical efficiency and LCAdata can be intuitively grasped.

When the user makes inputting to the user interface portion 20 for theselection taking into account economical efficiency and LCA data, anoperating device selection data is produced according to the selection.As a result, the operation scheduling portion 12 determines theoperation schedule of the fuel cell 1 by the operating device selectiondata from the user interface portion 20.

The operation schedule as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed in a formcorrected with LCA data. A specific example of the selection of variouselectric power generating means taking into account the economicalefficiency and LCA data will be described in detail in the mode 2 forcarrying out the invention.

Subsequently, the controlling portion 11 controls the fuel cell 1according to the operation schedule determined by the operationscheduling portion 12, obtains the current time from the timer 18 andcontrols the electric power output of the fuel cell 1 or operates theswitch 30, making it possible to realize the optimum use of the fuelcell 1 taking into account environmental protection.

The operation schedule once obtained may be stored in the operationscheduling portion 12 a as a living pattern and may be later displayedon the user interface portion 20 as a reference by which the user canjudge to set the future system operation.

As mentioned above, the arrangement of the present embodiment ofimplementation of the invention makes it possible to always makecomparison of LCA assessment of the power plant 50 of electric powercompany and dispersed electric power generating apparatus of otherelectric power generating industries in addition to the electric powerrate unit cost in the case where electricity is bought from theseelectric power generating means and the electric power generation unitcost of the fuel cell 1. In this manner, the operation schedule can berealized taking into account LCA rather than determining the operationof the fuel cell system only from an economical standpoint, making itpossible to always provide a commercial value that is the user'ssatisfaction in environmental contribution and a fuel cell system thatcan sufficiently make contribution also from the standpoint of globalenvironmental protection.

The example shown in FIG. 2(a) has been described on the assumption thatLCA data is fixed within 24 hours, but when the fuel cell 1, the powerplant 50 or the like operates, LCA data actually varies with the amountof electric power generated during the operation. On the other hand, inthe user interface portion 20, real time display of LCA data, includingthis variation, may be conducted. Alternatively, LCA data may be oncedisplayed as a fixed value and then corrected and displayed everypredetermined period such as hour and time zone. As this display theremay be used a graphic of living pattern shown in FIG. 13.

In the aforementioned embodiment of implementation of the invention, theuser interface portion 20 displays all the electric power generationcost, the external electric power cost and LCA data as fresh data.However, either the results of comparison of the electric powergeneration cost with the external electric power cost or the results ofcomparison of first LCA data of the fuel cell 1 and house with secondLCA data of the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51 among LCA data are previously calculated, andthe user interface portion 20 may display the results of comparison anddata which have not been subjected to comparison.

In FIG. 3, another configuration of the present embodiment ofimplementation of the invention is shown. The difference between thecontrolling device 10 of FIG. 1 and the controlling device 10′ of FIG. 3is that the controlling device 10′ comprises a cost comparing means 19of comparing the external electric power cost with the electric powergeneration cost. When obtaining the external electric power cost fromthe electric rate system storing portion 14 or the electric powergeneration cost from the electric power generation unit cost calculatingportion 13, the cost comparing means 19 compares the two costs and thenoutputs the results of comparison to the user interface portion 20.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the user interface portion 20 displays theresults of comparison of the various electric power generating means Ato C as “cost comparison” in addition to the electric power generationunit cost and LCA data shown in FIG. 2(a).

In this manner, the user can save trouble of comparing the electricpower generation unit cost of the various electric power generatingmeans and thus can set the operation schedule more easily. The previousdisplay of the results of comparison is effective particularly whenthere are so many external electric power generation industries that itis difficult to find which of the electric generating means can provideelectricity at low cost at a glance.

FIG. 3 has been described on the assumption that the comparing means 19compares the external electric power cost with the electric powergeneration cost. However, the comparing means 19 may compare first LCAdata with second LCA data among LCA data and display the results of thecomparison on the user interface portion 20 as “LCA comparison”.Alternatively, both the cost comparison and LCA comparison may bedisplayed. In this case, the comparing means 19 may perform comparisonand judgment of the aforementioned economical efficiency and LCA datausing the weighted factors α_(L) and α_(E).

Concerning the data which have been subjected to comparison, only theresults of comparison may be displayed and the display of the datathemselves may be omitted.

The aforementioned configuration has been described with reference tothe case where the fuel cell system comprises the fuel cell 1, the powerplant 50 and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 tosupply electric power by way of example, but the dispersed energysupplying system of the present invention may be a system which suppliesenergy other than electric power. Several examples will be describedbelow.

FIG. 8 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a heat supply systemaccording to another constitution of the first embodiment ofimplementation of the present invention and a controlling devicetherefor. In FIG. 8, where the parts are the same as or correspond tothose of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used and their detaileddescription will be omitted. CO₂ heat pump 81 is a means installed athouses which operates by an electric power from the power plant 50 toperform heat exchange, allowing the supply of heat and optionally coldheat carried by a cooling medium such as water and/or CO₂ gas. The gasfacilities 82 are industries which provide and sell gas to houses andthe load consumption measuring portion 83 is a means of measuring theamount of gas consumed by the gas load 84 which is a device that usesgas to operate and the amount of heat consumed by the hot-water supplyload 21.

The controlling device 80 having the present constitution is differentfrom the controlling device 10 in that it comprises a gas rate systemstoring portion 85 of storing the gas rate unit cost of the gasfacilities 82 and a heat amount unit cost calculating portion 86 insteadof the fuel gas rate system storing portion 1 of the fuel cell 1. Theheat amount unit cost calculating portion 86 has a performance tablewhich provides the energy efficiency of CO₂ heat pump 81 represented bythe electric power and hot-water supply efficiency during operation andcalculates the heat amount unit cost which is the cost required for CO₂heat pump 81 to supply unit amount of heat.

The operation of the present embodiment of the heat supply system havingsuch a constitution is as follows. The case where either the gas load 84capable of heating water or the hot-water supply load 21 capable ofsupplying hot water directly into the bath can be utilized to preparethe bath of houses is used by way of example. As in the case of theoperation of the fuel cell system, the gas rate system is obtained fromthe gas rate system storing portion 85, the unit cost of heat amount ofthe gas facilities 82 is calculated from the unit cost of gas, and it isthen outputted to the user interface portion 20 as an external gas cost.At present, the unit cost of gas does not vary from time zone to timezone in one day and there is thus only one unit cost of gas used todetermine the operation schedule of the gas facilities.

On the other hand, the electric power generation unit cost of the powerplant 50 stored in the electric rate system storing portion 14 is readout to the heat amount unit cost calculating portion 86. Further, theload consumption measuring portion 83 measures the amount of heatconsumed by the hot-water supply load 21 and then outputs it to the heatamount unit cost calculating portion 86 through the controlling portion11. The heat amount unit cost calculating portion 86 calculates the unitcost of heat amount of CO₂ heat pump 81 on the basis of the electricpower generation unit cost and the load consumption measuring portion 83thus obtained. In this case, the energy efficiency of CO₂ heat pump 81may be the amount obtained on the basis of the rating of the previouslyprepared CO₂ heat pump 81 or may be calculated from the electric powerconsumed by CO₂ heat pump 81 and the load consumption measured by theload consumption measuring portion 83. Further, since the electric ratefrom the power plant 50 which operates CO₂ heat pump 81 varies from timezone to time zone, the unit cost corresponding to operation time zone isused.

The unit cost of heat amount thus obtained is then outputted to the userinterface portion 20 as a heat amount cost.

The external gas cost and the heat amount cost correspond to theexternal electric power generation cost and the electric powergeneration cost in the fuel cell system, respectively. The user canobtain these data concerning economical efficiency from the userinterface portion 20 and LCA data of the CO₂ heat pump 81 and gasfacilities 82 obtained from the LCA data storing portion 16 and makecomparison and study of them. As a result of study, the user can operateeither the gas load 84 or the hot-water supply load 21 using a desiredmeans to heat water in the bath.

The inventory assessment and impact assessment which are LCA data of CO₂heat pump during the production and disposal (regeneration) are CO₂,discharged amount of heavy metal and warming, and exhaustion ofresources, respectively, and examples of the inventory assessment andimpact assessment during use include CO₂ and warming, respectively.

The load consumption measured by the load consumption measuring portion83 may be outputted to the heat amount unit cost calculating portion 86as it is in the form of measured value because the gas load 84 and thehot-water supply load 21 operate on the same object (“heating water inthe bath” herein) but the gas load 84 and the hot-water supply load donot always perform operation on the same object, for the same purposeand in the same operation pattern (the same living pattern of the user).In this case, it is necessary to specify the load consumption measuringportion 83 so that the load consumption of different objective loads canbe compared according to the same criterion by previously referring toenergy efficiency, e.g., from the operation history of the gas load 84and the hot-water supply load 21 (e.g., referring to living pattern ofFIG. 13).

Next, FIG. 9 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a dispersed energysupplying system according to another constitution of the firstembodiment of implementation of the present invention and a controllingdevice therefor. In FIG. 9, where the parts are the same as orcorrespond to those of FIGS. 1 and 8, the same reference numerals areused and their detailed description will be omitted. In the presentconstitution, the electric power load 26 is operated by either the powerplant 50 or the distributed electric power generating apparatus 51 andthe hot-water supply load 21 is operated by CO₂ heat pump 81. CO₂ heatpump 81 can be operated by the electric power supplied from either thepower plant 50 or the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51but will be described to be operated by the electric power from thepower plant 50 hereinafter.

Further, the controlling device 90 having the present constitution isdifferent from the controlling device 10 in that it has no meanscorresponding to the fuel gas rate system storing portion 1 of the fuelcell 1.

Moreover, the consumed electric power converting/measuring portion 91 isa means of converting the amount of energy consumed by the electricpower load 26 and the hot-water supply load 21 to an electric power andoutputting it to the controlling portion 11 as consumed amount ofelectric power.

The operation of the present embodiment of the dispersed energysupplying system having such a constitution is as follows. As in thecase of FIG. 8, the case where either the electric power load 26 capableof heating water or the hot-water supply load 21 capable of supplyinghot water directly into the bath can be utilized to prepare the bath ofhouses is used by way of example. For the electric power load 26, anexternal electric power cost is obtained in the same manner as in thecase of the operation of the stationary fuel cell system.

Subsequently, the cost of CO₂ heat pump 81 is converted to an electricpower generation cost and obtained. The process is as follows. Theelectric power generation unit cost of the power plant 50 stored in theelectric rate system storing portion 14 is read out to the electricpower generation unit cost calculating portion 13. Further, the consumedelectric power converting/measuring portion 91 measures the amount ofheat consumed by the hot-water supply load 21 and then converts it to aconsumed amount of electric power. The consumed electric power thusobtained by conversion is outputted to the electric power generationunit cost calculating portion 13 through the controlling portion 11. Theelectric power generation unit cost calculating portion 13 outputs theelectric power unit cost of CO₂ heat pump 81 to the user interfaceportion 20 as electric power generation cost on the basis of theelectric power generation unit cost thus obtained and the consumedelectric power thus obtained by conversion. The following operation iseffected in the same manner as in the case of the fuel cell system ofFIG. 1.

As in the case of FIG. 8, the electric power load 26 and the hot-watersupply load 21 do not always operate on the same object for the samepurpose. In this case, it is necessary to specify the consumed electricpower converting/measuring portion 91 so that the load consumption ofdifferent objective loads can be compared according to the samecriterion by previously referring to energy efficiency, e.g., from theoperation history of the electric power load 26 and the hot-water supplyload 21 (e.g., referring to living pattern of FIG. 13).

Next, FIG. 10 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a dispersedenergy supplying system according to another constitution of the firstembodiment of implementation of the present invention and a controllingdevice therefor. In FIG. 10, where the parts are the same as orcorrespond to those of FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, the same reference numerals areused and their detailed description will be omitted. The dispersedenergy supplying system having the present constitution comprises thefuel cell system of FIG. 1 and a CO₂ heat pump 81 in combination andcauses the hot-water supply load 21 to operate by hot water supplied bythe CO₂ heat pump 81 or the fuel cell 1.

The operation of such a constitution is effected in the same manner asin the fuel cell system of FIG. 1 and the dispersed energy supplyingsystem, but the electric power generation cost includes the electricpower generation cost of the fuel cell 1 and the converted electricpower generation cost of the CO₂ heat pump 81. Further, the electricpower generation cost particularly in the case where the CO₂ heat pump81 is operated by the fuel cell is represented by the total of theaforementioned various electric power generation costs.

Second Embodiment of Implementation of the Invention

FIG. 4 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a configuration of thecontrolling device according to the second embodiment of implementationof the present invention. In FIG. 4, where the parts are the same as orcorrespond to those of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are used andtheir detailed description will be omitted. Further, the referencenumeral 100 indicates an internet service provider (ISP) which operatesto provide data such as electric power rate unit cost in the case whereelectricity is bought from the power plant 50 of an electric powercompany or the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 of otherelectric power generating industries and distributes, in addition tothese data, an operating method judgment data having an algorithm offorecasting and determining optimum operating method from these data. Inthe controlling device 10″, the operating method judgment data storingportion 17 is a means of retaining once the operating method judgmentdata transmitted via the communications portion 25.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment of implementation of theinvention will be described together with other embodiments of themethod of controlling the fuel cell system of the present invention.

In the mode 1 for carrying out the invention, the electric rate systemon which the external electric power cost and other data are based andLCA data are previously stored in the controlling device 10. These dataare very important data for the determination of optimum operatingschedule of the fuel cell 1 according to the cost that varies from timeto time. The contents of these data are sometimes renewed, but the datathus renewed are not be easily available to ordinary users.

Further, LCA data are more difficultly available. Moreover, thecalculation of LCA data requires a huge amount of data and anoperational processing. It is virtually impossible to incorporate amechanism allowing this processing in the controlling device.

Therefore, the present embodiment of implementation of the invention isarranged such that the electric rate system or LCA data are supplied byISP100. ISP100 performs service of providing disclosed or presentedprice data of electric power company or other data about a price ofelectric supply from the dispersed electric power generating apparatus51. It is a great advantage for the controlling device 10″ to be able tomake easy downloading from ISP100 via, e.g., internet to always obtainthe recent electric rate system and LCA data. On the other hand, ISP100has an advantage of collecting data provision fee from users to make aprofit.

Incidentally, unlike the example shown in the mode 1 for carrying outthe invention, the comparison of LCA data with the electric powergeneration unit cost is a numeral value that can be difficultlyunderstood by ordinary users and its comparison with economicalefficiency can be difficultly understood.

Therefore, ISP100 not only provides these data but also has anintellectual algorithm having a specific judgment criterion on the basisof which optimum operation can be automatically selected from thesedata, judges which the controlling portion 11 should use among the fuelcell, the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generatingapparatus 51 on the basis of this algorithm and then transmits theresults of judgment to the controlling device 10″ as operating methodjudgment data. This judgment has the same meaning as the selection ofvarious electric power generation means taking into account economicalefficiency and LCA data as described in the mode 1 for carrying out theinvention.

A specific example of the judgment operation of ISP100 will be describedin connection with FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating thejudgment operation of ISP100.

Firstly, ISP100 obtains from the controlling device 10″ data required tocalculate LCA data of the fuel cell 1 and calculates LCA data on thefuel cell 1 side on the basis of the data. Further, ISP100 obtains theelectric power cost from the electric power generation unit costcalculating portion 13 of the controlling device 10″.

Further, ISP100 obtains the electric rate system data and LCA data fromthe power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus51, respectively, and calculates the external electric power cost of thepower plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51,respectively. In this case, ISP100 may obtain only required data andcalculate LCA data of the power plant 50 and the dispersed electricpower generating apparatus 51, respectively, as in the case of the fuelcell 1.

Subsequently, ISP100 compares the electric power generation cost of thefuel cell 1 and the external electric power cost of the power plant 50and the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51, respectively(step 501). Taking the electric power generation unit cost (electricpower generation cost and external electric power cost) of variouselectric power generating means in “time zone δ” of FIG. 2(a) by way ofexample, the electric power generation unit cost of the electric powergenerating means A (power plant 50), the electric power generating meansB (dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51) and the electricpower generating means C (fuel cell 1) are 1,100, 1,000 and 1,100,respectively. Therefore, the electric power generating means B canprovide an electric power at a cost lower than the electric powergenerating means A and the electric power generating means C.

Subsequently, when cost comparison is conducted, ISP100 judges to see ifthe difference in cost comparison between the electric power generatingmeans C and the electric power generating means A and B falls within apredetermined range (step 502). As a result, if the difference in costcomparison exceeds the predetermined range, the process moves to step503. If not, the process moves to step 504. In this case, when thepredetermined range is defined to be “200”, the difference in costcomparison between the electric power generating means C and theelectric power generating means B in the case of “time zone δ” of FIG.2(a) is 100, which falls within the predetermined range. Thus, theprocess moves to step 504.

At step 504, ISP1000 compares LCA data of the electric power generatingmeans B with LCA data of the electric power generating means C andjudges to see which is greater. If LCA data of the electric powergenerating means B is greater than LCA data of the electric powergenerating means C, the process moves to step 505. If LCA data of theelectric power generating means C is greater than LCA data of theelectric power generating means B, the process moves to step 503. In thecase of “time zone δ” of FIG. 2(a), the comparison of LCA data showsthat the electric power generating means B has a greater value than theelectric power generating means C. Thus, the process proceeds to step505.

At step 505, upon the reception of the results of comparison of LCA dataat step 504, it is determined that the electric power generating means Bhas a greater index of LCA data and hence a greater environmental burdenand thus should not be selected and the electric power generating meansC, which is inferior to the electric power generating means C but givesa smaller environmental burden, should be operated.

On the other hand, at step 503, upon the reception of the results ofcomparison of cost at step 502, it is made obvious that there is asufficient difference in cost from other electric power generatingmeans. Alternatively, upon the reception of the results of comparison ofLCA data at step 504, it is made obvious that although there is nosufficient difference in cost from other electric power generatingmeans, the comparison of LCA data shows that the environmental burden issmall. Thus, it is determined that the electric power generating means Bshould be operated, and this decision is included in the operatingmethod judgment data.

In the case of “time zone δ” of FIG. 2(a), the comparison of LCA datashows that the electric power generating means B (dispersed electricpower generating apparatus 51) has a greater value than the electricpower generating means C (fuel cell 1). Thus, the electric powergenerating means B is superior to the electric power generating means Cin cost but is not selected because LCA comparison shows that it has agreat environmental burden. Therefore, the electric power generatingmeans C (fuel cell 1) is finally determined to be the electric powergenerating means that should be operated.

Thus, in accordance with the algorithm shown in the flow chart of FIG.5, even if the comparison of the fuel cell with other external electricpower generating apparatus shows that the fuel cell is inferior to theothers in cost but there is no sufficient difference therebetween, theelectric power generating means having a smaller environmental burdencan be operated on the basis of the comparison of LCA data, making itpossible to automatically realize the operation of the fuel cell systemtaking into account environmental protection.

The aforementioned flow chart has been described on the assumption thatLCA comparison at step 504 is conducted after cost comparison at step502, but the derivation of the results of comparison of LCA data may beconducted at the time of or before the operation of cost comparison atstep 501.

The aforementioned operation has been described on the assumption thatthe comparison of LCA data is carried out by judging to see if theresults of cost comparison shows that the difference falls within apredetermined range, but cost comparison may be conducted when thejudgment of earlier comparison of LCA data shows that the differencefalls within the predetermined range.

Next, a second example of the operation of judgment of ISP100 will bedescribed in connection with FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustratingthe second example of the operation of judgment of ISP100.

Firstly, ISP100 obtains the electric power generation cost from theelectric power generation unit cost calculating portion 13 of thecontrolling device 10″and obtains the electric rate system data and LCAdata from the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generatingapparatus 51, respectively, and then calculates the external electricpower cost of the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric powergenerating apparatus 51, respectively (step 601).

Next, ISP100 obtains data required for calculating LCA data of the fuelcell 1 (hereinafter referred to as “the first LCA data”) from thecontrolling device 10″ and calculates LCA data of the fuel cell 1 sideon the basis of the obtained data. Subsequently, ISP100 calculates LCAdata of the power plant 50 and the dispersed electric power generatingapparatus 51 (hereinafter referred to as “the second LCA data”),respectively (step 602).

Subsequently, ISP100 uses the first LCA data and second LCA data toconvert the electric power generation cost of the fuel cell 1 and theexternal electric power cost of the power plant 50 and the dispersedelectric power generating apparatus 51 into values taking into accountLCA data (hereinafter referred to as “LCA conversion”), respectively(step 603).

Another specific example of weighting will be described hereinafter.Taking the electric power generation unit cost (electric powergeneration cost and external electric power cost) of various electricpower generating means in “time zone δ” of FIG. 2(a) by way of example,the electric power generation unit cost and LCA data of the electricpower generating means A (power plant 50), the electric power generatingmeans B (dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51) and theelectric power generating means C (fuel cell 1) are 1,100, 1,000 and1,100, respectively, and 120, 110 and 80, respectively. LCA data of thevarious electric power generating means are normalized.

LCA normalization coefficient of the electric power generating means Ais:120/(120+110+80)={fraction (12/31)}  (expression 1)

LCA normalization coefficient of the electric power generating means Bis:110/(120+110+80)={fraction (11/31)}  (expression 2)

LCA normalization coefficient of the electric power generating means Cis:80/(120+110+80)={fraction (8/31)}  (expression 3)

When the respective electric power generation unit cost is LCA-convertedwith the various LCA normalization coefficients, LCA-converted electricpower generation unit cost of electric power generating means A is:1100×{fraction (12/31)}≅425.81  (expression 4)

LCA-converted electric power generation unit cost of the electric powergenerating means B is:1000×{fraction (11/31)}≅354.84  (expression 5)

LCA-converted electric power generation unit cost of the electric powergenerating means C is:1100×{fraction (8/31)}≅283.87  (expression 6)

Subsequently, ISP100 compares the respective LCA-converted electricpower generation unit costs (step 604) and then determines that theelectric power generating means having the lowest value among theseelectric power generating means should be operated (step 605). In thecase of “time zone δ” of FIG. 2(a), since it can be seen in (suu-4) to(suu-6) that the electric power generating means C (fuel cell 1) has thelowest LCA-converted electric power generation unit cost, ISP100determines the operation schedule for the operation of the fuel cell 1,and this decision is included in the operating method decision data.

Thus, in accordance with the algorithm shown in the flow chart of FIG.6, the comparison of the fuel cell with the other external electricpower generating apparatus involves the conversion of the respectivecost to values taking into account LCA data. Accordingly, theintroduction of both economical efficiency and environmental burden asparameter into the comparison of the respective electric powergenerating means makes it possible to automatically realize theoperation of the fuel cell system taking into account environmentalprotection.

The aforementioned flow chart has been described on the assumption thatthe calculation of electric power generation unit cost at step 601 isconducted before the calculation of LCA data at step 602, but the orderof these steps may be inverted. Alternatively, the calculation ofelectric power generation unit cost and the calculation of LCA data maybe conducted at the same time. Alternatively, as LCA data there may beused ones which have been previously obtained.

The aforementioned operation has been described on the assumption thatthe cost of the respective electric power generating means are convertedwith the corresponding LCA data, but the electric generating means maybe determined by the comparison of values obtained by converting LCAdata of the various electric power generating means taking into accountthe corresponding cost, i.e., values taking into account LCA dataconverted with normalized cost coefficients.

The means of determining the operating means in ISP100 is not limited tothe examples of FIGS. 5 and 6 but may be other algorithms so far as theyuse electric power generation unit cost and LCA data.

Next, a third example will be described. In the time zone α (0:00-6:00)shown in FIG. 2(a), the electric power company corresponding to thepower plant 50 (atomic power plant) is given an electric powergeneration unit cost e1 of 1,000, the electric power industrycorresponding to the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51(thermoelectric power plant) is given an electric power generation unitcost e2 of 1,000, and the fuel cell 1 is given an electric powergeneration unit cost e3 of 1,100. Referring to LCA data of the variouselectric power generating means as impact assessment which is the sum ofLCA data during production, use (operation) and disposal (regeneration),the electric company is given LCA data 11 of 120, the electric powerindustry is given LCA data 12 of 110, and the fuel cell is given LCAdata 13 of 80. Herein, as LCA data on the fuel cell there are givenwarming and exhaustion of resources, as LCA data on the electric powercompany there are given warming and atmospheric pollution and as LCAdata on the electric power industry there are given warming andatmospheric pollution.

Subsequently, the electric power generation unit costs e1 to e3 of therespective electric power generating means are subjected tonondimensional normalization. The resulting normalized values E1 to E3are 0.323, 0.323 and 0.354, respectively. Similarly, LCA data 11 to 13of the respective electric power generating means are normalized. Theresulting normalized values L1 to L3 are 0.387, 0.355 and 0.258,respectively.

As a result of the aforementioned operation, data for judgment takingeconomical efficiency data (electric power generation unit cost) E1 andLCA data L1 (i=number of external energies or energy generating meansused in the dispersed energy supplying system; i=1 to 3 in theaforementioned case because it is formed by three electric powergenerating means) as parameter are obtained concerning the variouselectric power generating means.

By diving the economical efficiency data (electric power generation unitcost) E1 and LCA data L1 by the weighted factors α_(E) and α_(L) foreconomical efficiency and LCA shown in FIG. 12, respectively, data forjudgment of the respective electric power generating means are correctedon the basis of the user's consciousness of economical efficiency versusLCA.

For example, if the ratio of the weighted factor α_(E) to the weightedfactor α_(L) is 0.3:0.7, i.e., if the user's consciousness ofenvironment is strong, the data for judgment determined under theaforementioned conditions are (E1/α_(E), L1/α_(L))=(0.323/0.7,0.387/0.7)=(1.076, 0.553) for the electric power company.

Similar calculation is conducted on the electric power industry and thefuel cell, and the results are (E2/α_(E), L2/α_(L))=(1.076, 0.507) and(E3/α_(E), L3/α_(L))=(1.180, 0.370) respectively.

The user having a strong consciousness of environment can select aselectric power generating means the fuel cell including the smallestvalue of 0.370 as LCA data from these data for judgment.

On the other hand, if the ratio of the weighted factor α_(E) to theweighted factor α_(L) is 0.7:0.3, i.e., if the user's consciousness ofeconomical efficiency is strong, the data for judgment determined underthe aforementioned conditions are (E1/α_(E), L1/α_(L))=(0.323/0.7,0.387/0.3)=(0.461, 1.290) for the electric power company and (E2/α_(E),L2/α_(L))=(0.461, 1.183) and (E3/α_(E), L3/α_(L))=(0.506, 0.860),respectively, for the electric power industry and the fuel cell.

The user having a strong consciousness of economical efficiency canselect as electric power generating means the electric power company orelectric power industry including the smallest electric power generationunit cost (0.461) from these data for judgment.

As a fourth example there is exemplified a case where the weightedfactor α_(E) and the weighted factor α_(L) can be freely determined bythe user. In other words, the ratio of α_(E) to α_(L) is not necessarilyalways constant.

For example, when the electric power company is an atomic power plant,the impact assessment indicates atmospheric pollution and the inventoryassessment which is a parameter of atmospheric pollution indicates thedischarged amount of radioactive material. Some users having a sense ofcrisis against radioactive material may consider these radioactivematerials more seriously than CO₂ and heavy metal which are inventoryassessments included in other impact assessments.

In this case, the user changes the value of the weighted factor α_(L)for each of the electric power generating means.

Under the third example of conditions, the weighted factor α_(E) and theweighted factor α_(L) are constant (0.3:0.7) in the various electricpower generating means. However, for the aforementioned reason, theweighted factor α_(L) for the electric power company is determined to be0.2 and the weighted factor α_(L) for the electric power industry andthe fuel cell are determined to be 0.7 and 0.4, respectively. Herein,the fuel cell, which discharges heavy metal, is judged to give a moreserious environmental effect than the electric power industry, whichdischarges CO₂ and harmful oxides.

When calculation is conducted with such a weighted factor α_(L) in thesame manner as in the first example, the resulting data for judgment ofthe various electric power generating means are (E1/α_(E),L1/α_(L))=(0.323/0.7, 0.387/0.2)=(1.076, 1.935) for the electric powercompany and (E2/α_(E), L2/α_(L))=(1.076, 0.507 (=0.355/0.7)) and(E3/α_(E), L3/α_(L))=(1.180, 0.645 (=0.355/0.4)), respectively, for theelectric power industry and the fuel cell. Thus, a judgment can beobtained that the selection of the electric power industry is desirablefrom the standpoint of LCA. It has been described that the weightedfactor α_(L) varies with the electric power company, the electric powerindustry and the fuel cell, but the weighted factor α_(L) may vary withsome of these electric power generating means and remain same with therest of the electric power generating means.

The criterion for weighting LCA data may be previously predetermined inISP100, but the weighting of LCA data may be conducted on the basis ofthe judgment by the user of the fuel cell system 1. In this case, theuse of a graphic as shown in FIG. 12 makes it possible for the user tomake intuitive weighting.

Further, the weighted factor α_(L) may be set every impact assessment orinventory assessment so that ΣL_(ij)αL_(j) or L_(ij)α_(Lj) for each ofthe electric power generating means (i: electric generating means; j:impact assessment or inventory assessment) can be made the use of as ajudgment factor from the standpoint of LCA.

Subsequently, the operation data judgment data including decisionobtained as in the aforementioned first to fourth examples are inputtedfrom the communications portion 25 to the controlling portion 10″ fromwhich they are then received in the operating method judgment datastoring portion 17 so that they are allowed to perform in the operationscheduling portion 12 or are stored in the operation schedule 12 a. Theoperation following the controlling portion 11 is the same as in theaforementioned first embodiment of implementation of the invention.Further, the same user interface portion 20 as provided in the modes 1and 2 for carrying out the invention may be provided so that theoperation schedule stored in the operation schedule 12 a is displayed asa living schedule or ISP100 displays the operation schedule directly orvia the communications portion 25 or the like.

As mentioned above, in accordance with the constitution of the presentembodiment of implementation of the invention, the fuel cell 1 can beoptimally operated from the standpoint of both economical efficiency andenvironmental protection, giving ordinary users a great advantage thatthey can enjoy the operation pattern of the fuel cell system that isautomatically tuned up to date. Further, a service of providing datasuch as LCA data, operating method judgment data and the like can bepromoted.

The aforementioned judgment operation by ISP100 may be made by thecontrolling portion 11.

The aforementioned description has been made on the assumption that theconstitution of the system comprising a controlling device incorporatedtherein is based on the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 of the mode 1for carrying out the invention, but it may be based on the varioussystems comprising the controlling device of the dispersed energysupplying system of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

Third Embodiment of Implementation of the Invention

FIG. 11 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a configuration of thecontrolling device according to the third embodiment of implementationof the present invention. In FIG. 11, where the parts are the same as orcorrespond to those of FIGS. 1 and 4, the same reference numerals areused and their detailed description will be omitted.

The present embodiment of implementation of the invention comprises acontrolling device 200 and a switch 20, the controlling device 200 notbeing supplied from the fuel cell or external electric power, and aswitch 30 can be supplied with electric power from a fuel cell 210 whichcan be connected thereto in the future or an electric power industry 220which can be contracted in the future but is shown having nothingconnected thereto at present.

The internet service provider (ISP) 230 operates to provide data such aselectric power rate unit cost charged when electricity is bought fromthe power plant 50 of the electric power company or the dispersedelectric power generating means 51 of other electric power industries aswell as data concerning the fuel cell 210 which can be connected.

Next, the operation of the aforementioned embodiment of implementationof the invention will be described together with other embodiments ofimplementation of the method of setting the dispersed energy supplyingsystem of the present invention.

In the model for carrying out the invention, the external electric powerand fuel cell have been previously incorporated in the system, and theelectric rate system on which the external electric power cost and otherdata are based and LCA data have been merely used to select these meansincorporated therein.

However, in order to know what means of building a fuel cell system canbe used to satisfy both economical efficiency and LCA, users who aregoing to build such a fuel cell system could not do nothing but makeprevious research by themselves or have some advice from the trader.

Further, when users who have a fuel cell system at present continue touse the prior art external electric power or fuel cell despite theappearance of fuel cells or electric power industries having anexcellent economical efficiency and LCA due to technical development inthe future, it not only is an economic disadvantage but also gives noenvironmental advantage.

Therefore, the present embodiment of implementation of the invention isarranged such that the up-to-date data concerning excellent fuel cellsare supplied from ISP230 into the electric rate system and LCA data asnecessary.

ISP230 performs service of providing price data disclosed or provided byelectric power company and data of electric supply cost from otherdispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 as well as merchandisedata concerning the fuel cell connectable to the switch 30. Unlike thefirst and second embodiment of implementation of the invention, thesmall electric power measuring portion 2 in the present embodiment ofimplementation of the invention cannot know the actual amount ofelectric power consumed by means such as fuel cell 1 which supplieselectric power into the electric power load 26 or the hot-water supplyload 21. Thus, in order to calculate the electric power cost, theelectric power generation unit cost calculating portion 13 performscalculation on the basis of merchandise data from ISP230.

The controlling device 200 has a great advantage of always obtainingdata concerning up-to-date fuel cells from ISP230. Further, the user isable to utilize the merchandise data provided by ISP230 upon renewal oreven make on-line purchase of fuel cells data of which have beenprovided via the user interface portion 20.

On the other hand, ISP230 has an advantage of collecting data provisionfee from the user and the trader of the fuel cell 210 to make a profit.

As mentioned above, the arrangement of the present embodiment ofimplementation of the invention makes it possible to build a fuel cellsystem comprising a fuel cell and an external electric power in a propercombination from the standpoint of both economical efficiency andenvironmental protection.

Ordinary users have a great advantage of automatically enjoying dataconcerning the ideal constitution of fuel cell system.

The aforementioned description has been made on the assumption that theconstitution of the system comprising a controlling device incorporatedtherein is based on the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 1 of the mode 1for carrying out the invention, but it may be based on the varioussystems comprising the controlling device of the dispersed energysupplying system of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 to 10incorporated therein. In other words, the merchandise data provided byISP230 are not limited to fuel cells but may be CO₂ heat pump, gasturbine electricity generator, etc. They may be data for introducingelectric power industries or gas industries.

The present embodiment of implementation of the invention may becombined with the second embodiment of implementation of the invention.In this case, what combination of means can build the system ideallymaking an ideal satisfaction of economical efficiency and LCA can beautomatically known.

In the aforementioned various embodiments of implementation of theinvention, the controlling portion 11 and the operation schedulingportion 12 each are an example of setting means of the presentinvention. The operation schedule storing portion 12 a is an example ofthe means of storing the contents of setting of the present invention.LCA data storing portion 16 is an example of LCA data storing means ofthe present invention. The user interface portion 20 is an example ofthe interface means of the present invention. The comparing means 19 isan example of the comparing means of the present invention. ISP100 and260 each are an example of the setting means of the present invention.The fuel gas rate system storing portion 15 is an example of the energysource rate system storing means of the present invention and theelectric generation unit cost calculating portion 13 and the heat amountunit cost calculating portion 86 each are an example of the externalenergy supply rate calculating means of the present invention. Theelectric rate system storing portion 14 and the gas rate system storingportion 85 each are an example of the external energy rate systemstoring means and the consumed electric power measuring portion 2, theload consumption measuring portion 83 and the consumed electric powerconverting/measuring portion 91 each are an example of the consumedenergy measuring means of the present invention. The power plant 50 andthe dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 each are an exampleof the facilities of supplying external energy of the present invention.LCA data of the fuel cell 1 and CO₂ heat pump 81 each are an example ofthe first LCA data of the present invention. LCA data of the power plant50, the dispersed electric power generating apparatus 51 and the gasfacilities 82 each are an example of the second LCA data of the presentinvention. The unit cost of electric generation of the fuel cell 1 andCO₂ heat pump 81 and the unit heat cost of CO₂ heat pump 81 each are anexample of the energy generation cost of the present invention and theunit cost of electric generation of the power plant 50 or the dispersedelectric power generating apparatus 51 and the unit cost of heat amountof the gas facilities each are an example of the external energy supplycost of the present invention. The electric power load 26, the hot-waterload 21 and the gas load 84 each are an example of the load of thepresent invention.

However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementionedembodiments of implementation of the invention. The aforementionedembodiments of implementation of the invention have been described onthe assumption that the fuel cell 1 supplies electricity into theelectric power load and heat thus generated into the hot-water supplyload as hot water, but the present invention may be used for a fuel cellwhich supplies only electricity. The energy generating means of thepresent invention may be the aforementioned fuel cell, CO₂ heat pump andgas turbine electricity generator as well as solar electricitygenerator, terrestrial heat electricity generator, wind powerelectricity generator and soon. The external energy of the presentinvention is not limited to gas and electricity but may be heavy oil,kerosine, etc.

LCA data have been described on the assumption that data at varioussteps of production, operation and disposal of the fuel cell system orthe power plant 50, the dispersed electric power generating apparatus51, etc. are generated as data, but LCA data of the present invention donot need to be entirely used as data but may be partly used. Forexample, LCA data may be obtained from only data at the steps ofproduction and operation. Alternatively, LCA data may be generated fromdata at the steps of operation and disposal.

ISP100 and 260 have been described as provider on internet, but theselecting/determining means of the present invention may be connected toand operated on LAN or intranet other than internet so far they areservers on network.

The present invention is a program of allowing a computer to execute thefunction of all or some of means (or devices, elements, circuits,portions, etc.) of the apparatus of setting the aforementioned dispersedenergy supplying device of the present invention which operates incooperation with the computer.

The term “some means of the present invention (or devices, elements,circuits, portions, etc.)” and “some steps of the present invention (orsteps, operations, actions, etc.)” as used herein are meant to indicatesome of a plurality of these means or steps or some functions oroperations in one means or step.

Recording media having the program of the present invention recordedtherein which can be read out by a computer are included in the presentinvention.

An embodiment of utilization of the program of the present invention maybe one which allows recording on a recording medium which can be readout by a computer and operation in cooperation with the computer.

An embodiment of utilization of the program of the present invention maybe one which allows transmission through a transmission medium, readingby a computer and operation in cooperation with the computer.

Examples of the data structure of the present invention include database, data format, data table, data list, and data type.

Examples of the recording media include ROM, etc. and examples of thetransmission media include internet, transmission mechanism such asoptical fiber, light, electric radiation, sound wave, etc.

The aforementioned computer of the present invention is not limited tosheer hard wares such as CPU but may include farm ware, OS andperipheral equipment.

As mentioned above, the constitution of the present invention may berealized on a soft ware basis or on a hard ware basis.

Industrial Applicability

As can be seen in the aforementioned description, the present inventioncan always compare LCA data as in the case of cost at the generation ofenergy and realize the consideration of LCA as well in the setting ofthe system rather than by its economical efficiency alone, making itpossible to make sufficient contribution from the standpoint ofprotection of global environment as well.

Further, the dispersed energy supplying system is automatically allowedto operate optimally taking into account both economical efficiency andenvironmental protection.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. An apparatus of setting a dispersed energysupplying system of supplying a generated energy generated from apredetermined energy source by an energy generating means and anexternally supplied external energy into a load, comprising: an energygeneration cost calculating means of calculating energy generation costrequired to generate the generated energy by the energy generating meanssuitable for the load; an external energy supply cost calculating meansof calculating supply cost of the external energy suitable for the load;an LCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden generatedat whole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discarding theenergy generating means as a first life cycle assessment (LCA) data andan environmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding facilities of supplying the externalenergy as a second LCA data; and an interface means of presenting theenergy generation cost, the external energy supply cost, and the firstand the second LCA data and allowing the user to perform setting theenergy generating means and/or the supply of the external energy.
 23. Anapparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplyinga generated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising: an energy generation cost calculating means ofcalculating energy generation cost required to generate the generatedenergy by the energy generating means suitable for the load; an externalenergy supply cost calculating means of calculating supply cost of theexternal energy suitable for the load; an LCA data storage means ofstoring an environmental burden generated at whole or part of the stepsof producing, operating and discarding the energy generating means as afirst life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a second LCAdata; a comparing means of performing at least one of the comparison ofthe energy generation cost and/or the external energy supply cost andthe comparison of the first LCA data and/or the second LCA data; and aninterface means of presenting the results of comparison by saidcomparing means and remaining data which have not been compared by saidcomparing means and allowing the user to perform setting the energygenerating means and/or the supply of the external energy.
 24. Anapparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying system of supplyinga generated energy generated from a predetermined energy source by anenergy generating means and an externally supplied external energy intoa load, comprising: an energy generation cost calculating means ofcalculating energy generation cost required to generate the generatedenergy by the energy generating means suitable for the load; an externalenergy supply cost calculating means of calculating supply cost of theexternal energy suitable for the load; an LCA data storage means ofstoring an environmental burden generated at whole or part of the stepsof producing, operating and discarding the energy generating means as afirst life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a second LCAdata; and a setting means of setting the energy generating means and/orthe supply of the external energy on the basis of at least one of theenergy generation cost and first LCA data and the external energy supplycost and second LCA data.
 25. The apparatus of setting a dispersedenergy supplying system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, whereinthere further comprises a set content storage means of storing thecontents of setting and said interface means or said setting means iscapable of displaying the stored contents of setting.
 26. The apparatusof setting a dispersed energy supplying system according to any one ofclaims 22 to 24, wherein said setting is to select which of the energygenerating means or the external energy is used to supply energy intothe load in the operation of the dispersed energy supplying system. 27.The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system accordingto any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said setting is to select whichone of a plurality of the energy generating means is used to supplyenergy into the load in the operation of the dispersed energy supplyingsystem.
 28. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying systemaccording to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said setting is toselect which one of a plurality of the external energies is suppliedinto the load in the operation of the dispersed energy supplying system.29. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying systemaccording to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said setting is toselect the energy generating means or the external energy capable ofsupplying energy into the load in the construction of the distributedenergy supplying system.
 30. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energysupplying system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein saidsetting is to select the energy generating means capable of supplyingenergy into the load in the construction of the dispersed energysupplying system.
 31. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energysupplying system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein saidsetting is to select the external energy capable of supplying energyinto the load in the construction of the dispersed energy supplyingsystem.
 32. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying systemaccording to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said setting meansperforms at least one of the comparison of the energy generation costand/or the external energy supply cost and the comparison of the firstLCA data and/or the second LCA data, and then performs said setting, ifone of two comparisons shows a difference falling within a predeterminedrange, on the basis of the results of the other, or, if the differenceof the comparison exceeds the predetermined range, on the basis of thedifference of the comparison.
 33. The apparatus of setting a dispersedenergy supplying system according to claim 24, wherein said settingmeans performs at least one of the comparison of the energy generationcost and/or the external energy supply cost and the comparison of thefirst LCA data and/or the second LCA data, converts the other data whichhave not been subjected to comparison according to a predeterminedcoefficient based on the comparison, performs the comparison of the datathus converted, and then performs said setting on the basis of theresults of the comparison.
 34. The apparatus of setting a dispersedenergy supplying system according to claim 24, wherein the setting meansperforms the comparison of the energy generation cost and/or theexternal energy supply cost with the first LCA data and/or the secondLCA data upon reception of a weighted factor determined by the user. 35.The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system accordingto claim 34, wherein the weighted factor can be the same for a pluralityof LCA data or respectively different for whole or part of the pluralityof LCA data.
 36. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplyingsystem according to claim 33 or 34, wherein said setting meansdetermines the weighted factor on the basis of the comparison.
 37. Theapparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system according toany one of claims 22 to 24, which further comprises an LCA datacalculating means of calculating the first LDA data and the second LCAdata.
 38. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying systemaccording to claim 37, wherein said external energy supply costcalculating means and said LCA data calculating means are provided in aserver on a network.
 39. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energysupplying system according to claim 24, wherein said setting means isprovided in a server on a network.
 40. The apparatus of setting adispersed energy supplying system according to any one of claims 22 to24, further comprising an energy consumption measuring means ofmeasuring the energy consumption of the load, wherein said energygeneration cost calculating means comprises an energy source rate systemstoring means of storing the rate system of the predetermined energysource and an energy generation unit cost calculating means comprising aperformance table containing data of the energy generating meansconcerning the capacity of generating energy per unit amount of thepredetermined energy source which obtains an energy source unit ratefrom the energy source rate system storing means and calculates the unitcost per unit energy generation of the energy generating means byreference to the performance table, and said external energy supply costcalculating means comprises an external energy rate system storing meansof storing the rate system of the external energy.
 41. The apparatus ofsetting a dispersed energy supplying system according to any one ofclaims 22 to 24, wherein the energy generating means is a fuel cell. 42.The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplying system accordingto any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the energy generating means is aCO₂ heat pump.
 43. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplyingsystem according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the externalenergy contains at least an electric power supplied by an electric powerindustry.
 44. The apparatus of setting a dispersed energy supplyingsystem according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the externalenergy contains at least gas supplied by a gas industry.
 45. Adistributed energy supplying system comprising a setting means fordistributed energy supplying system according to any one of claims 22 to24 and an energy generating means of generating an energy to be suppliedinto a load from a predetermined energy source.
 46. A method of settinga distributed energy supplying system of supplying a generated energygenerated from a predetermined energy source by an energy generatingmeans and an externally supplied external energy into a load,comprising: an energy generation cost calculating step of calculatingenergy generation cost required to generate the generated energy by theenergy generating means suitable for the load; an external energy supplycost calculating step of calculating supply cost of the external energysuitable for the load; an LCA data storing step of storing anenvironmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding the energy generating means as afirst life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a second LCAdata; and an interfacing step of presenting the energy generation cost,the external energy supply cost and the first and second LCA data andallowing the user to perform setting the energy generating means and/orthe supply of the external energy.
 47. A method of setting a distributedenergy supplying system of supplying a generated energy generated from apredetermined energy source by an energy generating means and anexternally supplied external energy into a load, comprising: an energygeneration cost calculating step of calculating energy generation costrequired to generate the generated energy by the energy generating meanssuitable for the load; an external energy supply cost calculating stepof calculating supply cost of the external energy suitable for the load;an LCA data storing step of storing an environmental burden generated atwhole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discarding theenergy generating means as a first life cycle assessment (LCA) data andan environmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding facilities of supplying the externalenergy as a second LCA data; a comparing step of performing at least oneof the comparison of the energy generation cost and/or the externalenergy supply cost and the comparison of the first LCA data and/or thesecond LCA data; and an interfacing step of presenting the results ofcomparison by the comparing means and remaining data which have not beencompared by the comparing means and allowing the user to perform settingthe energy generating means and/or the supply of the external energy.48. A method of setting a distributed energy supplying system ofsupplying a generated energy generated from a predetermined energysource by an energy generating means and an externally supplied externalenergy into a load, comprising: an energy generation cost calculatingstep of calculating energy generation cost required to generate thegenerated energy by the energy generating means suitable for the load;an external energy supply cost calculating step of calculating supplycost of the external energy suitable for the load; an LCA data storingstep of storing an environmental burden generated at whole or part ofthe steps of producing, operating and discarding the energy generatingmeans as a first life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmentalburden generated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operatingand discarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a secondLCA data; and a setting step of setting the energy generating meansand/or the supply of the external energy on the basis of at least one ofthe energy generation cost and first LCA data and the external energysupply cost and second LCA data.
 49. A program of allowing a computer tofunction as an energy generation cost calculating means of calculatingenergy generation cost required for the energy generating means togenerate the generated energy suitable for the load, an external energysupply cost calculating means of calculating supply cost of the externalenergy suitable for the load, an LCA data storage means of storing anenvironmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding the energy generating means as afirst life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a second LCAdata and an interface means of presenting the energy generation cost,the external energy supply cost and the first and second LCA data andallowing the user to perform setting the energy generating means and/orthe supply of the external energy in an apparatus of setting adistributed energy supplying system according to claim
 22. 50. A programof allowing a computer to function as an energy generation costcalculating means of calculating energy generation cost required for theenergy generating means to generate the generated energy suitable forthe load, an external energy supply cost calculating means ofcalculating supply cost of the external energy suitable for the load, anLCA data storage means of storing an environmental burden generated atwhole or part of the steps of producing, operating and discarding theenergy generating means as a first life cycle assessment (LCA) data andan environmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding facilities of supplying the externalenergy as a second LCA data, a comparing means of performing at leastone of the comparison of the energy generation cost and/or the externalenergy supply cost and the comparison of the first LCA data and/or thesecond LCA data and an interface means of presenting the results ofcomparison by the comparing means and remaining data which have not beencompared by the comparing means and allowing the user to perform settingthe energy generating means and/or the supply of the external energy inan apparatus of setting a distributed energy supplying system accordingto claim
 23. 51. A program of allowing a computer to function as anenergy generation cost calculating means of calculating energygeneration cost required for the energy generating means to generate thegenerated energy suitable for the load, an external energy supply costcalculating means of calculating supply cost of the external energysuitable for the load, an LCA data storage means of storing anenvironmental burden generated at whole or part of the steps ofproducing, operating and discarding the energy generating means as afirst life cycle assessment (LCA) data and an environmental burdengenerated at whole or part of the steps of producing, operating anddiscarding facilities of supplying the external energy as a second LCAdata and a setting means of setting the energy generating means and/orthe supply of the external energy on the basis of at least one of theenergy generation cost and first LCA data and the external energy supplycost and second LCA data in an apparatus of setting a distributed energysupplying system according to claim
 24. 52. A recording medium having aprogram according to any one of claims 49 to 51 supported thereoncapable of being processed by a computer.